UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 70 - 29 APRIL 2022

The Russian forces made limited advances west of Severodonetsk on April 29 but got stuck south of Izyum. Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine are likely successfully conducting a mobile defense instead of holding static positions and shifting mechanized reserves to resist Russian advances. The concentrated Russian artillery enables minor Russian advances, but the Ukrainian positions remain strong.

Limited Ukrainian counterattacks around the city of Kharkiv could further compel Russian forces to shift units intended for the Izyum axis to hold these positions.

The Russian forces also intend to keep only a minimal force in Mariupol necessary to block Ukrainian positions in the Azovstal and prevent partisan actions, while deploying as much combat power as possible to support offensive operations elsewhere.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 70 is available directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online